Online Fitness Coach Denied My Refund ( was never serious after getting money)

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    • #78936 Reply
      User_02befcb4
      Participant
        U
        User_02befcb4
        PARTICIPANT
        May 8, 2026 at 3:49 am
        TLDR:
        **Paid ₹13,500 for a 3-month online fitness coaching program expecting personalized guidance, accountability, and form correction. Coaching started late, support was mostly generic weekly follow-ups, and the service did not match what was represented. I raised concerns within less than one month and requested refund for the unused period, but it was denied. I have now filed a complaint with the National Consumer Helpline.**

        Incident:

        I’m looking for practical advice on a consumer issue related to online fitness coach. (This guy is a fitness influencer on Instagram with around 5.5 lakh following, and powerful too as told Do whatever you want to do money won’t be refunded)

        I joined a 3-month coaching program after seeing the coach’s Instagram. I paid **₹13,500** (₹2,000 on 15 March and ₹11,500 on 1 April).

        Before payment, it was represented that the program would include:
        * personalized coaching
        * customised workout and diet
        * weekly check-ins
        * accountability
        * form correction
        * guidance
        * call support
        * video review support

        I had clearly told him before joining that I already had access to workout plans through my Cult membership. My main reason for joining was active guidance, form correction, accountability, regular discussion, and personalized coaching support.

        **Timeline**
        promised start date: **1 April**
        actual effective start: **13 April**
        first follow-up: **18 April**

        I had also asked for support and responses in between because replies were delayed.
        **What was actually delivered**
        workout PDF
        diet PDF
        generic weekly follow-up messages like:
        *“This is a regular follow up msg, please ask if you have any doubts.”*

        I asked multiple specific questions related to:
        exercise alternatives
        workout changes
        machine-based options
        warm-up
        stretching
        weight tracking

        I also requested cable-based workout changes on call and later on chat, but I did not feel the ongoing support matched what had been represented before payment.
        There was no meaningful tracking of:
        calorie intake
        workout progression
        reps / loads
        body weight
        ongoing accountability

        **Refund**
        I raised refund concerns early, within less than one month of the 3-month program.
        I requested that the plan be treated as one month and asked for refund of the unused remaining period.
        That request was denied. By saying that he had written in WhatsApp text that “once the plan is delivered no money will be refunded and if you leave midway no money will be refunded” ( while my concern is he was never serious about his services after taking money)

        He also later blocked me on Instagram.
        I have preserved:
        payment proof
        WhatsApp chats
        promises made before payment
        delayed start
        repeated support requests
        refund denial

        I have already filed a complaint with **National Consumer Helpline**.

        **My question:**
        Froma a practical consumer perspective, do I have a reasonable case for partial refund?
        Has anyone dealt with something similar, and what usually works next?

      • #78937 Reply
        User_90d60f23
        Participant
          U
          User_90d60f23
          PARTICIPANT
          May 8, 2026 at 4:22 am
          Tldr 🙁

          • #78939 Reply
            User_02befcb4
            Participant
              U
              User_02befcb4
              OP
              May 8, 2026 at 4:25 am
              **Paid ₹13,500 for a 3-month online fitness coaching program expecting personalized guidance, accountability, and form correction. Coaching started late, support was mostly generic weekly follow-ups, and the service did not match what was represented. I raised concerns within less than one month and requested refund for the unused period, but it was denied. I have now filed a complaint with the National Consumer Helpline.**

              • #78941 Reply
                User_90d60f23
                Participant
                  U
                  User_90d60f23
                  PARTICIPANT
                  May 8, 2026 at 4:47 am
                  Any such online portal will not help you, it is literally nothing.
                  If you file a case, you’ll have to bear expenses, lawyer fee and years of following up (unless the trainer settles the matter).
                  Lawyer here.

                  • #78944 Reply
                    User_02befcb4
                    Participant
                      U
                      User_02befcb4
                      OP
                      May 8, 2026 at 4:52 am
                      Thanks for the reply , He told me the same, that I won’t be able to get the refund refund from him in any case, instead of that I need to spend money on lawyers etc, he told he has his team of lawyer, and he can file a case on me for maligning his reputation.

                      But I’m really feeling cheated and fraud, The hard earned money got wasted☹️

                      • #78946 Reply
                        User_90d60f23
                        Participant
                          U
                          User_90d60f23
                          PARTICIPANT
                          May 8, 2026 at 4:54 am
                          If you have the zeal and resilience to do all that I mentioned, the reward could be 50,000-1 lac of costs + refund

                          Also, he will not have a team of lawyers obv, he’s just an influencer not a corporate / mnc – he’s lying and manipulating. He’s smart.

                          • #78948 Reply
                            User_02befcb4
                            Participant
                              U
                              User_02befcb4
                              OP
                              May 8, 2026 at 4:56 am
                              I want to go for further process and guidance.

                              • #78949 Reply
                                User_90d60f23
                                Participant
                                  U
                                  User_90d60f23
                                  PARTICIPANT
                                  May 8, 2026 at 4:57 am
                                  You’re based in Delhi?

                        • #78942 Reply
                          User_90d60f23
                          Participant
                            U
                            User_90d60f23
                            PARTICIPANT
                            May 8, 2026 at 4:51 am
                            Any such online portal will not help you, it is literally nothing.
                            If you file a case, you’ll have to bear expenses, lawyer fee and years of following up (unless the trainer settles the matter).
                            Lawyer here.

                      • #78938 Reply
                        Megasagar68
                        Participant
                          M
                          Megasagar68
                          PARTICIPANT
                          May 8, 2026 at 5:07 am
                          I tried signing up for such an insta fitness guy, thankfully the way the team spoke in the initial.meet did not waste the 20 k being asked. Post that the team used to call me everyday for a week or so. Why do I feel this is the same person.

                          • #78940 Reply
                            User_02befcb4
                            Participant
                              U
                              User_02befcb4
                              OP
                              May 8, 2026 at 5:09 am
                              Yeah, he directly called me, I got into his words.
                              Now I’m left in a very bad mental state where I’m not able to focus on my work. The hard earned money got wasted.

                              • #78943 Reply
                                Megasagar68
                                Participant
                                  M
                                  Megasagar68
                                  PARTICIPANT
                                  May 8, 2026 at 5:10 am
                                  Honestly, let it go. Name and shame on all public platforms, but getting a refund is painful esp from insta shops. Hope you have hard proofs with you.

                                  • #78945 Reply
                                    User_02befcb4
                                    Participant
                                      U
                                      User_02befcb4
                                      OP
                                      May 8, 2026 at 5:11 am
                                      I have all the proofs, he has blocked me on insta for asking refund.

                                      • #78947 Reply
                                        Megasagar68
                                        Participant
                                          M
                                          Megasagar68
                                          PARTICIPANT
                                          May 8, 2026 at 5:16 am
                                          Put up a post tagging him and his teamembers detailing your side of the story. Twitter, facebook, everywhere

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